And eugene c



. (No Model.) y n J. J. o. ,an 5.o. SMITH. f APPARATUS POR CASTINGMETALS UNDER PNBUMATIG PRESSURE.

No. 526,874. A Patented Oct. 2, 1894.

I ,I'IED STATES JOHN J. C. SMITH, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

APPARATUS l-'ORCASTlNG METALS UNDER PNEUMATIC PRESSURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 526,874, dated October2, 1894.

Application tiled January 10, 1894:- Serial No. 496,401. (No model.) Y

T0 all whom t may concern.-

Beit known that we, JOHN JOSEPH CHARLES SMITH, residing at Passaic,county of Passaic, State of New Jersey, and EUGENE C. SMITH, residing atProvidence, county of Providence, State of Rhode Island, citizens of theUnited States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus forQasting Metals under Pneumatic Pressure, of which thefollowingis a specification. y

The object of the invention is the construction of a practical aparatusinto which molds that are to be filled with metal may beinclosedhermetically and air tight so that a high vacuum may be obtained.v inthe molds and'so as not to involve waste of time and labor.

In making our apparatus We reflected particularly on a new,useful andpractical combination and arrangement of the different parts so as toserve their functions to the best advantage, save labor and produceresults to a certainty. I

Experience gained by long :and practical use of casting machinesconstructed'differ'- ently from our new one has shown us many greatdeficienciesinthem. Castingapparatus -by means of which mechanicalpressure is ap# plied to the fluid metal to force vit in themolds,require very dense and strong Vmolds and even with such the moldscrack from the sudden heat and force of the metal which only too oftenwill show objectionable tins or seamson the casting if the casting isnot spoiled altogether. Furthermore, `such .for mer casting machineshave been constructed to receive a number of molds for every castingoperation because the charging, closing and the getting of the machineready for a casting, take so much labor onaccount of the Wrongcombinations of the different parts.

' To ll a number ofl molds, each probably containing tive toten pieces,generally results in a loss of several pieces-sometimes half of them.Furthermore, when a number of molds, say only two, are placed for onecharge in the machine, it very often happens that the fluid metal willforce or bend one mold into the hollow part of the other, whichincreases the thickness of one casting and di@ minishes the otheropposite one. This is a packing on a part of the machine.

very objectionable feature especially on light and very thin articles.Therefore, we aimed inthe construction of our new machine toarrangeevery part so that the machine can be charged, closed, and discharged inthe least time possible, so that Vwe need not castor fill more than onemold at every operation and cando so with comparatively little Work orloss of time.

Practice in casting by means of machines made for application ofmechanical pressure has taught that if molds are made of a materialwhich has not enough density to resist the pressure of the iiuid metal,the castings will not present such a smooth surface and such sharpnessof lines as the mold really presents.' Our new casting apparatus isdesigned to use to better advantage molds Which can fbe made by themethod, and of the composition described in application of Eugene C.Smith, Serial No. 456,915, tiled December 3l, 1892. Molds made by thatmethod are veryv perfect but the strength of the material is not greatenough to resist the mechanical pressure applied to the fluid metal.

Mechanical pressure cannot be regulated to a nicety ou account of thefriction inthe cylinder,y but atmospheric pressure can be regulated tothe exact required pressure to be exercised on the metal. To obtainaperfectly sharp and smooth casting by a vacuum only requires a fine butVery porous mold.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of thisspecicationzFig ure I represents a vertical longitudinal section of themachine through the center. II is an elevationof the front. Figs. IIIand flV Vare respectively plan and sectional views of an angular rubberrim used as an air-tight Fig. V is a plan of an asbestos washer alsoused as a Iireproof packing.' Figs. VI and VII are respectvely avertical section and a plan of an` asbestos tube, washer or ring used toline the Vmain gate.

Fig.

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or T-slot R2 in its center to receive a sliding bolt R3. To the plate B,two side plates C are connected by means of hinges D so that the sideplates will open or close like doors. Each of said two plates hasangular extensions at the loose edge slotted to form hooks C2. With anupright movable plate E, the base A, the upright B and the two sideplates C, a box or case is formed which has a given height and width. Bymoving the plate E either forward or backward the depth of the box maybe increased or diminished. The adjustment of the plate E is facilitatedby the attachment of an arm F which has a ro1lerF2 at the end, the sameresting on the base A. 'Ihe arm F prevents also the falling of plate E.The top or cover of this box is formed by a plate G which is hinged at Mto the upper end of plate E. The plate G reaches over the horizontalextension B. By means of the slot bolt R3, the top plate G can befastened to the extension R at any desired place. As the `plate G isfastened to plate E by means of hinge M, it is evident that the depth ofthe box (i. e., the distance between plates B and E) can be increased ordiminished as it may be required according to the thickness of the moldto be placed in the box for casting. The plate G can also be thrown`back on its hingeso as to open the box on top.

When a mold Z is placed in the box to be filled with metal it is placedagainst the plate B. The plate E is then `moved against the mold and bymeans of the screws J 'which have their fulcra in two removablecrossbars X, the mold can be held togetherrmly.

The cross bars X are provided with angular hooks X2 at the end `andserve also by means of the hooks X2 `to hold or lock the sides C firmlyto the edges of plate E.

By the arrangement and combination of the parts so far described a rrncase or mold box is'formed which can be opened and closed in less than aminute. On top of the plate G is a funnel-shaped metal receptacle K. Itis attached to theplate G by means of a swivel bolt N and a lock boltK2. This metal receptacle has an arm or extension K3 on one side and ahinge joint L on the other. One-part of the hinge joint L is formed byan attachment to the swivel joint N. At the end of the hinge joint L is`an upright post T to which a cross bar or lever P s'hinged` at Q,forming a joint at thatpoint. At the center point where the lever `Pcrosses the metal receptacle K is a vertical stem 0,'jointed`t`o lever Pat that place. This vertical stem O is almost seven-eighths of an inchthick and has an asbestos covering O2. The metalreceptacle, when thrownupward on its hinge L, is open at the narrow end. The receptacle isprovided with an `asbestos lining K on the inside. The bottom "of thereceptacle is formed by plate G when the `receptacle is resting thereon.j

Bymeans of a hole S through the plate G, at the center of the receptaclecommunication is established from the receptacle to the interior of thecase and molds inclosed therein for casting. The diameter of the hole Sis almost one-eighth of an inch smaller than the diameter of the stem Oso that the stem will fully cover the hole when resting on it, and forcentering the stem it may have a slight boss at its lower end to enterthe hole S. An asbestos washer S2 almost one-sixteenth of an inch thickand about one-twelfth larger than the inside of the receptacle at itsnarrow end is interposed between the plate G and the edge of the narrowend of the receptacle. The hole in said washer is of the same size asthe hole S in plate G. When the washer is in position, the hole in itmust coincide with the hole S in plate G. The hole S is lined with avshort tube or ring S3 of asbestos of the shape shown in Fig. VII. Oneedge of said ring has a little ilange S4 to prevent it from slippingthrough the hole. The flange of short tube S3 serves alsoas a good airtight junction with the hole in the washer', when the stem O rests overit.

We have to describe how we 'render the case perfectly air tight so thatthe required vacuum can be created in the molds inclosed in the case. Onthe three (top and side) edges of the upright plate B we embed anarrowrubber packing strip Y (a litt-1e more than semi-circular incross-section). The flat surface of the packing strip projectsabout--one-sixteenth of an inch over the surface of the edges of theplate. A similar packing strip Y is also embedded on the top edge of theplate E but not at the side edges or the bottom edge of said plate.Those three edges are provided with a dierent style of packing which isdone as will now be described. To theouter surface of plate E we attach`near the edges a rubber rim of the angular shape shown by plan'andcross- 'section in Figs. III and IV'. This rubber packing rim E2 is ofthe exacts-izo of plate E but the angular edges Hare outa little asshown by the drawings. The side plates or doors C being hinged toupright plate B, if closed, will press against the rubber packing at theedges of plate B and when locked by the cross bars :c press alsoagainstthe flaring flanges of thefrubber rim E2. The lower flange ofrubber rim E2 formsagood junction with the platformor base A.Theadoption of `this peculiar shaped `packing rim E2 is for this reason.The plate E has to bemoved a little forward yet by means of screws Jafter the sides O are locked so as to press the two halves 'of the`inold firmly together, but if a similar packing to that on the edges ofplate B `were used the'plate Elcouldnot bemoved after the box is locked.When a vacuum is created in the case the pressure of the atmosphere willact on the flanges of the rim and close the corners hermetically. Whenthe top plate G is brought downto close the'top the case is alreadyfrmlylocked and no further moving of the lower parts `takes place.

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Therefore the top edges of plates E and B are also closed air tight bythe packing at those two edges. So far the hermetical closing yof themold case is automatic and requires no special time or labor. Only thetop and bottom edges of the two side plates or doors C remain to besealed which we prefer to do at every operation of casting by lutingthose joints with plastic clay or soft putty as we have found inpractice that rubber packings at those junctures are not very reliable.This lu ting up'is done very quickly and effectively. It :is shown thatthe base A is a little wider than the bdy of thevmachine and when thedoors C are closed a sharp corner C4 is formed which is quickly sealedby smearing a little clay or putty in that corner. A similar corner C3is formed by the edges of the plate G and the upper edges of the platesC which is also luted in the same manner.

The hole S in the top plate G is hermetically closed by the stem Oresting over said hole on top of the flange of the lining ring S2. Thelower edge of the metal receptacle finds an air tight packing bypressing on the outer edge of the washer S3. A Weight W at the end oflever P holds the valve stem down firmly. Y y

From the description so far given our new apparatus Apresents a seriesofnovel and useful combinations for the purpose of saving labor and time.

First. The case or box for receiving the molds is so constructed that bythe novel combination of the dierent and required parts, it may beclosed hermetically with the greatest facility and effect, so that agood vacuum can be produced in the molds.

Second. The upper part of the apparatus consisting of the metalreceptacle with its closing valve is so constructed by a new combinationof the required parts that it can be quickly adjusted to receive acharge of metal and hold the same against the suction of the Vacuumuntil the proper moment when the metal is .allowed to ow into the molds.After a cast is, made the receptacle can be detached easily and quicklyfrom the casting and the remaining surplus of metal discharged. y t

The apparatus is operated as follows: The molds that we use are made ofthecomposition and in the manner described in the specification ofEugene C. Smiths application above cited. The molds are made of theexact size of theinside of the case in height and width. The 'thicknessor depth of the mold however depends on the shape of thel casting to bemade. As stated, the back plate E is movable to adjust it to thethickness of the mold. The mold is provided with a vertical mainentrance gate Uthe position of which has to correspond with the hole Sin plate G. From thel main gate one or more smaller branches run to thedifferent articles formed in the mold.

- The proper manner of cutting the gates required is well known toartisans in the line of cutting. The molds mustbe perfectly dry if good,sharp castings are wanted. The mold is placed vertically in theapparatus against the plate B; then plate E is pushed forward againstthe mold; then the side plates are closed and locked by the cross screwbars X and then the mold is firmly closed t0- gether by bringing thescrews J to act against plate E. After this, the top plate G is broughtdown vand fastened by the sliding bolt R3. The next step is to bringtheA metal receptacle in position. The description and drawings showthat the receptacleis connected to plate G by means of the swivel boltand its hingeat point L which permits the raising of the receptacle andthe laying of it back. It can also ne turned sidewise on the swivelbolt. the receptacle have both these motions. By raising the receptaclethe hole S is free so that the asbestos washerS2 may be placed fon theplate G in such away that the hole in washer corresponds to the hole Sin plate G. Then the asbestos tube or ring S'is slipped into the hole Sso that the liange on the ring will rest on the edge of the hole in theWasher. This done, the receptacle is brought down and fastened by boltK2. The receptacle. is lined with a non-conductor of heat, to which thewasher forms a non-heat conducting botf tom. The washer serves also asafireproof packing at the joints of the receptacle with the plate G. Thehole S lined as aforesaid forms the inlet ofthe fluid metal to themolds. This inlet isl closed by resting the stem O over it. It is helddown air-tight by the weightW acting on the lever P. The corners O4 andC3 are next luted as described before which makes the apparatus readyfor casting.

-Shortly before filling the metal receptacle with huid metal, the air iswell exhausted out of the mold'by means of a good vacuum pumpattachedfto the pipe P2 which enters the case'nearthe bottom of plate B.The air finds an easy passage through the pores of the mold tpftthe pipeP2. The working of the pump imsgkept up during the act of filling thereceptacle, 'also until the metal has filled the mold and has becomefully set.

Whenl the metal receptacle has received sufficient metal to fill themold with a surplus for a head, then the valve stem O is 4lifted onlyabout one inch .when the pressure of the atmosphere will quickly forcethe metal into the mold and till every cavity of it. The valve stein. Oshould never be raised too much or out of the metal until the mold isfilled or else the air will rush into the mold with the metal and spoilthe casting.

As soon as the surplus of metal left in the receptacle has become set,the receptacle must be quickly detached so that the gate may be easilybroken before the metal cools su'i- It is desirable, as will beshownkthaty roo it. -After this themoldaud castings are re` moved from.thecase.

` lllaving sthus described our invention, the

followingis'whatiwe claimas newtherein and desiretofseeure by LettersPatent:

1. The fco'mbination ofthe base plate A, the upright `plate Btiz`cedthereto, the hinged side plate's"O,'tl1e Vadjustable ip'late E,the A"hinged top "-plateG,`the edges of plates B, C and E being`suitablyehanneled o'r Ygrooved toreeeive "packing,substantially as and`for the pu rposes set forth.

2. Thecombination of the base'plate A, the fixed `and adjustable platesB, E, theside plates Cyand thelanged 'air *tight packing plate E2farranged'and adapted to operate substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the 'base -yplate A, xed upright plate 4B, `hingedlside plates() having hooks C2, ladjustableupright plate E, screws J andcross bars X, arranged and adapted to operate, substantially as setforth.

4. The combinationlof the base plate A, uprig-ht plate B,side *plates C,adj nstable upright plate E Ahavingarm F provided with roller F2,substantially asand forthepurposes set forth. p I

`5. Thecombination o`f thebase plate A, upright plate B, suitable side`plates,adj ustable upright plate E and ltop plate G hinged to saidplate E, *movable "therewith and carrying on itself the hingedandpivotedlever K3 with its receptacle K, "rod O, lever P,support T andweight W all adapted to be removed by lifting the leverfK, substantiallyas and for the 'purposes' setforth.

6. Thecombination `inra casting-apparatus with afsuitable mold casing,ofa movable top plate,`a metal receptacle and its lever connected to saidplate by ahin'ge and swivel, an upright arm T on said lever, valve stemO, cross lever P and Weight W, substantially as and forthepurposesset"forth.

7. In a casting apparatus,`thelconibination of the top plate G, "havingan opening S the asbestos tube or ring S3, fitting said'opening inplateGr, the asbestos Washer S2 and the metal receptacle hinged to `said topplate, substantially as set forth.

J. J. C. SMITH. EUG. C. SMITH.

Witnesses as to J. J. C. Smith:

M. V. BIDGooD, J. GREEN. Witnesses as to Eugene C. Smith:

HARRY F. COONEY, DAVID E. KINNON

